Efficient Synthesis of Highly Enantioenriched Delta(1)-Pyrrolines

Abstract

A general and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (1)-pyrrolines by a one-pot nitro-reduction, cyclization, and dehydration of (R,E)-1,5-diphenyl-3-(nitromethyl)-5-pent-4-en-1-ones with iron and aqueous hydrochloric acid has been developed. The (1)-pyrrolines were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and high yields (up to 83%).